Gov. Inslee vows to keep feds on the hook for Hanford

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RICHLAND, Wash. - Jay Inslee completed his first tour of Hanford as governor. It offered his first up-close and personal look at the six leaking tanks.

The governor announced that the clean up efforts will continue at all costs.

Weeks after the world was shocked to learn about tanks leaking at Hanford, Governor Jay Inslee toured the site.

He said, "We have had disturbing news in the last two weeks here at Hanford. It represents a set back given our previous efforts to stabilize these waste tanks."

Scientists say thousands of gallons of waste have made their way to the soil. Trying to get a handle on the leaks has proven difficult.

The governor worked out a deal with the Department of Energy to get more monitoring equipment in all tanks, video to take pictures.

He told us the tanks will continue to leak until they're moved to a site in New Mexico. That could take up to four years. The Governor says we have no other choice.

"Frankly, it's the only option other than allow this material to leak into the top soil in the state of Washington for decades. That is totally unacceptable."

Anywhere between 7500 and 40,000 gallons of waste will be driven south.

Once the governor wrapped up his tour and was filled in on what is going on here at Hanford he delivered the news we were all waiting for, clean up efforts will continue.

All this despite talks of federal budget cuts. He acknowledged the process will slow down, but it won't stop altogether.

Gov. Inslee continued, "Make no mistake about it. We need to understand in the state of Washington we cannot allow in any way the federal government to walk away from its obligations and there will be temptations for years to do that."

Making a solid promise to see that this state won't be left holding the bag. Keeping the federal government on the hook for work done decades ago.

The governor vowed to keep pressing the feds until a budget is reached that includes all efforts at Hanford.

He recognized that furloughs and layoffs will still happen, but hopes they won't be as widespread as predicted.

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